Beautiful Music for Ugly Children is a young adult novel by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, published October 8, 2012, by North Star Editions. The book tells the story of Gabe, a transgender high school student. It received various awards and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature.
 | |
| Author | Kirstin Cronn-Mills |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | Transgender youth |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | North Star Editions |
Publication date | October 1, 2012 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| ISBN | 9780738732510 |
When Cronn-Mills was writing the book, she frequently visited RECLAIM, "a Twin Cities-based organization that offers counseling and other services to transsexual [sic] and LGBT youth." Anyone who donated at least ten dollars to the organization received a copy of Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.[1]
Plot
editBeautiful Music for Ugly Children follows the story of Gabe, a transgender teen navigating life after coming out as male. Gabe has always felt like a boy, even though he was born as Elizabeth. His passion is music, and he hosts a late-night radio show called "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children," where he shares his love for music and his journey of self-discovery. As Gabe gains a following on his radio show, he begins to embrace his identity more fully. However, he also faces challenges, including bullying and the complexities of his relationships with family and friends who are adjusting to his transition. Throughout the novel, Gabe learns to find his voice, assert his identity, and pursue his dreams despite the obstacles he faces.[2][3]
Reception
editReviews
editBeautiful Music for Ugly Children was well received by critics. Kirkus Reviews referred to the novel as "a kind and satisfyingly executed portrait of a music-loving teen coming out as transgender".[4] Michael Cart, writing for Booklist, highlighted the "nuggets of humor in an otherwise serious story", noting that "Cronn-Mills' thoughtful book joins a small but growing body of literature that gives faces to this traditionally invisible minority" of transgender youth.[5] Despite the lack of existing literature, Publishers Weekly found that
Cronn-Mills [...] has clearly done her research. Gabe's difficulties—from dealing with freaked-out parents and bigoted classmates to navigating love, sex, and whether to use the men's or women's room—are well documented. So much so, in fact, that the book sometimes feels like a PSA exposing the challenges a trans teen faces. Cronn-Mills never minimizes those challenges (Gabe faces some terrifying abuse), avoiding a too-happy ending, but Gabe and Paige's supportive friendship and Gabe's love of music shine through.[6]
Multiple reviews mentioned that readers may have to suspend disbelief a bit while reading,[5] including how "Gabe's radio show becomes an underground hit, generating a difficult-to-believe-but-pleasing-to-imagine cadre of fans calling themselves the Ugly Children Brigade".[4] School Library Journal's Betty S. Evans further noted that the novel "wraps up a bit too quickly".[7]
Reviewers also discussed the book's characters, with Cart referring to Gabe as "an always appealing character".[5] However, Kirkus Reviews noted that the book's "show-stealer" is "John, a unique, well-conceived, funny and loving figure whose enthusiasm for music and endless support for Gabe", which "provides solidity and warmth amid the many changes Gabe experiences."[4] Evans similarly found that "he quirky relationship between Gabe and John and their shared music obsession elevates this story above the average problem novel."[7]
Awards and honors
editIn 2013, the American Library Association included Beautiful Music for Ugly Children on their list of the Best Fiction for Young Adults.[8]
| Year | Accolade | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature | Finalist | [9] |
| 2013 | American Library Association Rainbow Book List | Top Ten | [10] |
| 2014 | Independent Publisher Book Awards for LGBT+ Fiction | Silver Medal | [11] |
| Stonewall Book Award | Winner | [12][13] | |
| Young Adult Library Service Association's Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults | Top Ten | [14][15] | |
| 2015 | Green Mountain Book Award | Nominee | [16] |
References
edit- ^ Kent, Tanner (September 1, 2014). "A new kind of hero: Cronn-Mills' latest book features a transsexual protagonist". Mankato Free Press. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children". Goodreads. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children | ALA". www.ala.org. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children". Kirkus Reviews. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on October 14, 2020. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c Cart, Michael (November 15, 2012). "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children". Booklist. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Children's Book Review: Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills. Flux, $9.95 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-0-7387-3251-0". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Evans, Betty S. (January 1, 2013). "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "25th Annual Lambda Literary Award Winners Announced!". Lambda Literary. June 4, 2013. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ lvs2read (January 28, 2013). "2013 Rainbow Book List". Rainbow Book List. Archived from the original on May 12, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "2014 Medalists". IPPY Awards. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children | Awards & Grants". American Library Association. January 29, 2014. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ Morales, Macey (January 27, 2014). "'Beautiful Music for Ugly Children' and 'Fat Angie' win 2014 Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award". American Library Association. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "2014 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). January 30, 2014. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ Finneke, Jaclyn (February 4, 2014). "YALSA names 2014 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults". American Library Association. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "Beautiful Music for Ugly Children". Goodreads. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.